Operation Blood Drive Fugitive Turns Himself in to the FBI

FBI New York
May 24, 2010

Today, Dupree Melvin, an associate of the Bloods street gang in Newburgh, NY, turned himself in to the FBI’s Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force (HVSSTF). He has been on the run since May 13, 2010 when the FBI HVSSTF conducted a major law enforcement operation in Newburgh. Seventy-eight gang members were indicted in the Southern District of New York on various federal charges, and starting in the early morning hours of May 13, over 500 law enforcement personnel carried out a major arrest operation. Seventy-three of the seventy-eight subjects have now been captured or turned themselves in.

The FBI and the HVSSTF are searching for the remaining fugitives and seek the public’s assistance. The wanted poster at the following web address lists the names of the fugitives and those that have been captured or turned themselves in: http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/alert/newyork.htm.

The remaining fugitives’ pictures have also been placed on the Clear Channel digital billboard in Times Square and have appeared prominently in the local press.

Special Agent Richard Kolko said, “The public’s assistance has been instrumental in tracking down these fugitives. With their pictures everywhere, including right in the middle of Times Square, these men know they are wanted by the FBI. There are still fugitives out there and we want them to turn themselves in. The residents of Newburgh want to see them arrested. The public can play a valuable role in tracking down the remaining fugitives. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is requested to call the FBI at 212-384-5000 or the local police.”

The Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force is comprised of agents and law enforcement officers from DOJ (SDNY); City of Newburgh PD; New York State Police; Orange County D.A.'S Office; Orange County Sheriff's Office; ATF; ICE; USMS; NYS Dept. of Corrections; City of Middletown PD; Town of Newburgh PD; Town of New Windsor PD; Village of Monticello PD; City of Poughkeepsie PD; Dutchess County Sheriff's Office; Beacon Police Department; Sullivan County Sheriff's Office; and NYS Department of Parole.